Making place mats with laminator?

lipsthefish

Hi all, I wasn't sure which section to put this in but I thought with a lot of families on this board someone may know. I need some place mats as we have our first table in 20 years! It's just a little table so I only need 2 but I'm having trouble finding any I like, I have loads of pictures that would suit so I'm wondering if I get a cheap laminator would this work or would they be no good for the heat off plates? Thanks for any help

adouglasmhor

We made some and they were fine.

Pictures of coriander was what i used.

Janey3

OH made some for me - mine were of victorian scenes. They've been great - although he had a couple of attempts to get them right!

Tiddlywinks

Laminated paper (or you can use thin card) will be fine to protect the table from spills and scratches etc BUT won't protect from heat damage if you place hot dihes on them.

Also, sometimes the heat from the plate can make the laminated plastic wrinkle a bit - the plate has to be hot though.

You could get some plain wooden chopping boards and decorate those instead.

Savvy_Sue

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Laminated paper (or you can use thin card) will be fine to protect the table from spills and scratches etc BUT won't protect from heat damage if you place hot dihes on them.

Also, sometimes the heat from the plate can make the laminated plastic wrinkle a bit - the plate has to be hot though.

You could get some plain wooden chopping boards and decorate those instead.

I had some laptrays made with photos on from this company, and was very pleased with them. They also do placemats and coasters. There are hundreds of companies out there who offer such a service, of course, but if you want something more heatproof I'd go that way rather than laminating.

Mind you if going for very cheap'n'cheerful, rather than buying a cheap laminator I'd see if anyone offered laminating services or could lend you one if you provided the laminating pouches. I know I'd be able to do it at work if I paid for the pouches. And they are NOT cheap if you have to buy a whole box, but I realise you'd normally get some included with the laminator!!!

One tip is to make sure the laminator has heated properly before you insert the pouch!

Owain_Moneysaver

Tesco Value laminator pouches are cheap, and you don't need a laminator - you can do them with a moderately hot iron (too cool and the glue doesn't melt, too hot and it wrinkles up)

j.e.j.

I would think laminate would work as long as the plates are not too hot.

..or you could design and make some place mats out of fabric/material and put a lining in if you want it to be heatproof

January20

From experience, I would say be careful what kind of pouches you buy as some are better quality than others and as a teacher who uses a lot of laminated resources, I've learned my lesson! Also make sure your laminator is really hot in order to do the job properly. Provided you take these precaution, you should have no problems, unless your plates are hotter than the laminator itself, and a piece of card under the picture you want to laminate would further protect the table.

January20

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Tesco Value laminator pouches are cheap, and you don't need a laminator - you can do them with a moderately hot iron (too cool and the glue doesn't melt, too hot and it wrinkles up)

That sounds good! I always do my laminating at work or I borrow a laminator. Are there no instruction on these pouches regarding the heat ie the setting of the iron?

Owain_Moneysaver

January20 wrote: »

Are there no instruction on these pouches regarding the heat ie the setting of the iron?

No, you're supposed to use a laminator!

I would guess 'synthetics' as pouches are made of plastic.

Owain

January20

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

No, you're supposed to use a laminator!

I would guess 'synthetics' as pouches are made of plastic.

Owain

Oh right! I misunderstood! I thought they were made specifically to use with an iron :rotfl::rotfl: duh!